Covering the retreat

Foe fight obstinately

Allies tightening their grip

There is no change in the situation. It is evident that a considerable battle is being stubbornly fought on the defined line and we are looking at something more important than a rearguard action.

Fighting has now been going on for several days and so far as can be gathered neither side has yielded ground to any appreciable extent. There have been attacks and counter attacks, the Germans have made no impression on the allies and the allies have been unable to dislodge the Germans.

The eventual retirement of the invaders is inevitable, our airmen have observed sufficient to reach this conclusion. The rear of the defending line is alive with transports moving to the Meuse.

The Allies are giving the enemy an illustration of what we like to call the bulldog grip, and their persistency and valour are bound eventually to tell their tale. The operations of our cavalry North of Leon, it has been pointed out, would be an indication of the beginning of the end.

Along the Meuse where the enemy are making extensive preparations, a gigantic effort may be made to keep the fighting in the allies territory. This would mean a battle besides which the battle of the Marne and Aisne would be almost insignificant.

After that, after we cannot doubt the result, the enemy will be able to make no further resistance until they reach the Rhine.

Both sides are no doubt extremely conscious of the enormous issue at stake in the present operations. Defeat or partial defeat for the allies would be serious, for the Germans it would be calamitous.

So far the allies have the balance of the advantage and there is every reason to take a hopeful view of the situation. It would appear too that we are attacking them when they are changing their plans, the very worst moment for any army.

Entrenched positions defended by heavy artillery cannot be carried without severe fighting and the operations now proceeding will therefore be very costly. A consideration that must not be lost sight of is that the Germans may do better if it is true that the Kaiser has taken himself to fresh woods and pastures new. It is conceivable that they have suffered from interference which, as far as it has been submitted, has proved to be a hindrance.